Method of hydraulically converting wind power

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure provide a power conversion system and a method for conversing power. The power conversion system includes a first fluid holding tank, a second fluid holding tank, a fluid inlet hose, a fluid outlet hose, a fluid container, and one or more tension springs connected to the upper surface of the container and to a lower surface of the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a rotational component connected to a lower side of the container via a connecting rod. The power conversion system further includes a generator connected to the rotational component via a horizontal shaft. The power conversion system further includes a feedback hose connected between the second fluid holding tank and the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a hydraulic pump connected to the second fluid holding tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 16/164,316,pending, having a filing date of Oct. 18, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a device and system for generatingpower with fluids.

Description of the Related Art

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Using gravity to generate power has long been used in the hydroelectricfield. Gravity, a powerful natural phenomenon, can be converted intouseful mechanical power in many ways. Gravity can also be used withrenewable energy, such as wind power and solar power, to generateelectricity more efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a powerconversion system. The power conversion system includes a first fluidholding tank, a second fluid holding tank, a fluid inlet hose, a fluidoutlet hose, and a fluid container. The fluid container includes aninlet opening on an upper surface of the container. The inlet opening isconnected to the first fluid holding tank via the fluid inlet hose. Thefluid container further includes an outlet opening on a lower surface ofthe container. The outlet opening is connected to the second fluidholding tank via the fluid outlet hose. The power conversion systemincludes one or more tension springs connected to the upper surface ofthe container and to a lower surface of the first fluid holding tank.The power conversion system includes a rotational component connected toa lower side of the container via a connecting rod. The rotationalcomponent is configured to rotate upon lowering and rising of the fluidcontainer. The power conversion system includes a generator connected tothe rotational component via a horizontal shaft. The generator receivesa power input from the rotational component, via the horizontal shaft.The power conversion system further includes a feedback hose connectedbetween the second fluid holding tank and the first fluid holding tank;and the power conversion system includes a hydraulic pump connected tothe second fluid holding tank. The hydraulic pump is configured to pumpa fluid from the second fluid holding tank to the first fluid holdingtank, via the feedback hose.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a powerconversion method. The method includes filling a fluid from a firstfluid holding tank into a fluid container, via a fluid inlet hose. Themethod includes lowering a connecting rod. A first end of the connectingrod is connected to a lower surface of the fluid container. The loweringof the connecting rod is in response to a lowering of the fluidcontainer caused by an increased weight of the fluid entering into thefluid container. The method includes rotating a rotational componentdownward. The rotational component is connected to a second end of theconnecting rod. The method includes emptying the fluid from the fluidcontainer into a second fluid holding tank, via a fluid outlet hose. Themethod includes raising the connecting rod in response to a rising ofthe fluid container caused by a decreased weight of the fluid leavingthe fluid container. The method includes rotating the rotationalcomponent upward. The method includes feeding the fluid from the secondfluid holding tank to the first fluid holding tank via a feedback hoseand a hydraulic pump. The method further includes generating power intoa generator. The generator is connected to the rotating rotationalcomponent via a rotating horizontal shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a power conversion system 100 according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a different view of the power conversion system 100;

FIG. 3 shows a control black diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a retracting mechanism with different displacementsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a rotational component with four positions according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a power conversion method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the embodiment are provided herein. It is to beunderstood, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied invarious forms, compounded or stacked in unison. Structural framework andfastening such as nuts and bolts are purposely omitted to provide abetter general concept of the present disclosure. It is to be understoodthat lubrication and/or bearings are to be used in high friction areas.Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpretedas limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ thepresent disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed system,structure or manner.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a power conversion system 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power conversion system100 includes a first fluid holding tank 102 and a second fluid holdingtank 134 which hold a working fluid such as water at different heights,a fluid container 116 connected to the first fluid holding tank 102through a first tube 108 and connected to the second fluid holding tank134 through a second tube 120. The fluid container 116 is attached torollers 114, so the fluid container 116 could easily move up and down inits track depending on the tensions of springs 106. The details of thetension springs 106 will be described later.

The power conversion system 100 further includes a rotational component122. The rotational component 122 is connected to a lower side of thefluid container 116 via a connecting rod 136 and a power generator 128connected to the rotational component 122 via a horizontal shaft 126.The rotational component 122 may be a turning wheel, a disk, or anyother linear-to-rotational conversion machines. The power generator 128may be a device that converts motive power (mechanical energy) intoelectrical power for use in an external circuit. Sources of mechanicalenergy may include steam turbines, gas turbines, water turbines,internal combustion engines. In an embodiment of the present disclosure,the mechanical energy comes from the vertical motion of the fluidcontainer 116. Mechanically a power generator consists of a rotatingpart such as a rotor and a stationary part such as a stator.

FIG. 1 also illustrates that tension springs 106 are connected to theupper surface of the fluid container 116. A fluid feedback tube 132 isconnected between the second fluid holding tank 134 and the first fluidholding tank 102 and transmits fluid from the second fluid holding tank134 to the first fluid holding bank 102 by using a hydraulic pump 130.

FIG. 1 also shows a gearbox 124 which is connected to the horizontalshaft 126 and is able to adjust a speed of rotation of the horizontalshaft. Specifically, the gearbox 124 may amplify and adjust a rotationalmotion of the horizontal shaft 126 before feeding as a load to the powergenerator 128. The power generator 128 may power up the hydraulic pump130 which is connected to the second fluid holding tank 134. Thehydraulic pump 130 pumps a fluid, such as water, from the second fluidholding tank 134 to the first fluid holding tank 102, via the feedbacktube 132.

FIG. 1 shows that the vertical motion of the fluid container 116 may beconverted to rotational motion by the rotational component 122 which isfurther converted to electricity by the power generator 128. The powergenerator 128, together with other types of energy, may provide power tothe hydraulic pump 130 to pump the fluid from the second fluid holdingtank 134 to the first fluid holding tank 102. Therefore, the fluidstored in the first fluid holding tank 102 and the second fluid holdingtank 134 can be reused and the vertical motion of the fluid container116 may be continuously performed without any breaks.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hydraulic pump 130 maybe mechanically, hydraulically or electromechanically connected to awind power generation system and draws power from the wind powergeneration system and/or may utilize the wind power system to aid in thelifting of water from the second fluid holding tank 134 to the firstfluid holding tank 102. The wind power generation system may include awind turbine which converts the wind's kinetic energy into electricalenergy and/or a windmill that mechanically lifts water or a hydraulicfluid. The wind turbine includes blades (wind turbine blades) which areattached to a rotor, and generates power by the rotor being rotated byutilizing wind power energy which is renewable energy. The windmill mayinclude a lifting system that includes a motor and reciprocating liftingsystem.

In the wind turbine, the rotor is supported at one side end portion of anacelle, and rotates in a rotation direction R around ahorizontal-direction rotation axis. The rotor may include a hub and aplurality of blades. In the rotor, the hub includes a tip cover in asemi-ellipsoidal shape and is formed so that an outside diameter of itsouter peripheral surface increases as it goes from a windward sidetoward a leeward side. In the rotor, the plural blades are attachedaround the hub so as to be apart from one another in the rotationdirection R. For example, three pieces of the blades are provided, andeach of them has one end rotatably supported by the hub for the purposeof adjusting a pitch angle α.

Therefore, because the wind power system provides supplemental power tothe hydraulic pump, the hydraulic pump 130 is able to not only utilizepower from the power generator 128, but also from the wind turbineand/or windmill. Therefore, the efficiency of the power generationsystem is improved.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power generator 128 mayinclude a solar panel. A solar panel absorbs sunlight as a source ofenergy to generate electricity. For example, a photovoltaic (PV) moduleis a packaged assembly of typically 6×10 photovoltaic solar cells.Photovoltaic modules constitute the photovoltaic array of a photovoltaicsystem that generates and supplies solar electricity for the powergenerator 128 to power up the hydraulic pump 130.

Generally, solar radiation impinging on the surface of, and enteringinto, the substrate of a solar cell creates electron and hole pairs inthe bulk of the substrate. The electron and hole pairs migrate top-doped and n-doped regions in the substrate, thereby creating a voltagedifferential between the doped regions. The doped regions are connectedto the conductive regions on the solar cell to direct an electricalcurrent from the cell to an external circuit. When PV cells are combinedin an array such as a PV module, the electrical energy collected fromall of the PV cells can be combined in series and parallel arrangementsto provide power with a certain voltage and current.

Therefore, the hydraulic pump 130 is able to not only utilize electricaland/or mechanically power from the power generator 128, but alsoelectrical energy from the solar panel. Therefore, the efficiency of thepower conversion system is improved.

The fluid container 116 includes an inlet opening 112 on an uppersurface of the container which is connected to a first solenoid valve110 and an outlet opening on a lower surface of the container which isconnected to a second solenoid valve 118. The first tube 108 isconnected to a fluid tank outlet opening 104 and the first solenoidvalve 110.

The first and second solenoid valves 110 and 118 may beelectromechanically operated valves. The valves are controlled by anelectric current through a solenoid and may be used with an automaticcontroller. The valves could be a two-port valve or a three-port valve.In the case of a two-port valve, the fluid flowing from the first fluidholding tank 102 is switched on or off; in the case of a three-portvalve, the outflow is switched between the two outlet ports. Multiplesolenoid valves can be placed together on a manifold. An indicator isattached to the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve. Theindicator could be a limit sensor and photoelectric sensor that controlsthe solenoid valve. The first and second solenoid valves' power may besupplied by solar energy or a battery, which will be described later.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid holding tank102 may include solar panels on the top of the first fluid holding tank.The solar panels may be connected to the solenoid valves 110 and 118 orthe hydraulic pump 130 to provide electricity. As described before, thesolar panels convert radiant energy (e.g., light) into electricalenergy. Generally, solar cells are packaged in a solar device, and thesolar device includes the solar cells and peripheral circuitry, such asbypass diode, current sensor, control circuitry, and the like that aresuitably connected with the solar cells. Therefore, in the daytime, thesolar panels absorb sunlight and convert the radiant energy intoelectrical energy to control the solenoid valves 110 and 118 or thehydraulic pump 130. As such, the efficiency of the power conversionsystem is improved.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the whole body of the powerconversion system, including the first fluid holding tank 102 and thesecond fluid holding tank 134, may include solar panels to maximize theuse of the solar energy. Specifically, the solar panels may be installedon the surfaces of the first fluid holding tank 102 and the second fluidholding tank 134. The solar panels may be electrically connected to thepower generator to aid in the lifting of the fluids from the secondfluid holding tank 134 to the first fluid holding tank 102. As such, theefficiency of the power conversion system is further improved.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the power conversion system 100. Apower generator is not shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a control block diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. For example, the power generator 340 includes amicroprocessor 380 which controls a fluid pump 320 and solenoid valves360. The microprocessor 380 incorporates a computer's central processingunit (CPU) on a single or a few integrated circuits. It may be aprogrammable multipurpose silicon chip, clock driven, register based,accepts binary data as input and provides output after processing it asper the instructions stored in a memory. Some or all of these functionsmay be realized by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP),or the like.

A fluid pump is a mechanical source of power that converts mechanicalpower into hydraulic energy (hydrostatic energy i.e. flow, pressure). Itgenerates flow with enough power to overcome pressure induced by theload at the pump outlet. When a hydraulic pump operates, it creates avacuum at the pump inlet, which forces liquid from the reservoir intothe inlet line to the pump and by mechanical action delivers this liquidto the pump outlet and forces it into the hydraulic system. The fluidpump may include a battery to be used at the start-up stage. A rotaryvane pump may be used. A rotary vane pump has higher efficiencies than agear pump, but is also used for mid pressures up to 180 bar (18,000 kPa)in general. Modern units can exceed 300 bar (30,000 kPa) in continuousoperation, although vane pumps are not regarded as “high pressure”components. Some types of vane pumps can change the center of the vanebody, so that a simple adjustable pump is obtained. These adjustablevane pumps are in general constant pressure or constant power pumps: thedisplacement is increased until the required pressure or power isreached and subsequently the displacement or swept volume is decreaseduntil an equilibrium is reached. The fluid pump 320 may be realized bythe fluid pump 130, as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid pump 320 pumps a fluidreleased from the fluid container 116 to the first fluid holding tankvia the feedback tube 132.

The generator 340 will be wound so that at the designed RPM, so it willoutput a desired voltage. Generally, the voltage is fixed such as 240 or120 VAC, so it is always the intention to run the generator at thespecified RPM to make the line frequency correct. Given the correctfixed voltage, the power is limited to the current capacity times thevoltage. The generator 340 may be realized by the power generator 128,as shown in FIG. 1, which is coupled to the horizontal shaft 126 sand isrotated at rated speed. For example, the power generator 128 rotates at1750 rpm for 4 poles machines at 60 Hz.

FIG. 4 describes a retracting mechanism 400 with different displacementsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The retractingmechanism 400 includes a tension spring 410 which is connected betweenthe upper surface of the fluid container 116 and a lower surface of thefirst fluid holding tank 102. The tension spring 410 may be the tensionsprings 106 in FIG. 1.

Tension springs, also called extension springs, absorb and store energyas well as create a resistance to a pulling force. For example, when thefluid container 116 is filled with fluid, such as water, the gravity ofthe container is larger than the resistance created by the tensionsprings and makes the container move downward to push the linage in themechanical converter. FIG. 4 shows that a tension spring 430 extends ΔXwhen the fluid container gains weight and a tension spring 450 furtherextends X′ when the fluid container further moves downward. Therefore,the tension spring 450 extends a total distance of X=X′+ΔX when thefluid container is filled with fluid. Therefore, the spring 106 controlsthe movement of the fluid container 116 together with the gravity of thefluid container 116.

FIG. 5 describes a mechanical converter 500 including a rotationalcomponent with four positions according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The mechanical converter 500 converts the linear motion ofthe fluid container 116 into rotatory motion as an input to the powergenerator 128 in order to generate electricity. The power converted bythe mechanical converter 500 transmits through the connecting rod 136and the horizontal shaft 126 to the power generator 128. The mechanicalconverter 500 includes a rotational component 510 which is at anoriginal position and a connecting rod 136. The connecting rod movesaround an axis in response to the movement of the fluid container 116and the movement of the connecting rod causes the rotational component510 to rotate. FIG. 5 also shows that the rotational component 530 movesabout one third of a circle from its original position when theconnecting rod moves for a certain distance, in response to the movingof the fluid container. The fluid container gains more weight and movesit downward to push the linkage in the mechanical converter and causesthe disk/rotational component to rotate. The rotational component isconnected to a gearbox via the horizontal shaft and the gearboxincreases the rotation speed of the shaft. This rotatory motion is thentransmitted to the gearbox 124 and the power generator 128 through thehorizontal shaft 126. Similarly, FIG. 5 also describes that therotational component 550 moves about half a circle from its originalposition when the connecting rod moves to a different position. Further,in response to the fluid container moving up by the tension springs, theconnecting rod and the rotational component 470 move accordingly.

FIG. 6 describes a flowchart of a power conversion method according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step 610, a fluid is filled from a first fluid holding tank into afluid container, via a fluid inlet hose.

For example, the fluid may be water and the fluid inlet hose may becontrolled by a solenoid valve connected to the upper side of the fluidcontainer. The fluid inlet is open when the fluid is filled from thefirst fluid holding tank into the fluid container 116 when the fluidcontainer is at its upper position.

In step 620, a connecting rod is lowered in response to a lowering ofthe fluid container.

When the fluid container contains more water, it starts to movingdownward based on a comparison of the gravity of the fluid container,including the fluid inside, and the spring tension.

In step 630, a rotational component is rotated upon lowering of thefluid container. The rotational component is connected to a lower sideof the container via a connecting rod and a horizontal shaft.

In step 640, the fluid in the fluid container is emptied into a secondfluid holding tank.

When the fluid container reaches a bottom of the system, a fluid outlethose, which may be controlled by a second solenoid valve and connectedto the lower side of the fluid container, is open and the fluid inlethose becomes closed. The fluid starts to flow into a second fluidholding tank. Therefore, the fluid container may become empty.

In step 650, the connecting rod is raised upward in response to a risingof the fluid container. When the fluid in the fluid container isdischarged into the second fluid holding tank and the water level in thefluid container reaches a threshold and the fluid is pumped into thefirst fluid holding tank, the tension spring starts to raise the fluidcontainer. The connecting rod, therefore, is raised in response to arising of the fluid container.

In step 660, when the connecting rod is moving upward, the rotationalcomponent connected to the connecting rod is rotated.

In step 670, power is generated into a generator connected to therotating rotational component via a rotating horizontal shaft. The powergenerator may be an electric dynamo. The electric dynamo uses rotatingcoils of wire and magnetic fields to convert mechanical rotation into apulsing direct electric current through Faraday's law of induction. Adynamo machine consists of a stationary structure, a stator, whichprovides a constant magnetic field, and a set of rotating windings whichturn within that field.

In step 680, the fluid is fed from the second fluid holding tank to thefirst holding tank, which causes the fluid container to gain weight andstart moving downward.

The flow of the fluid back into the first holding tank from the secondholding tank may be closed loop recycling.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the presentdisclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been described inconjunction with the specific embodiments thereof that are proposed asexamples, alternatives, modifications, and variations to the examplesmay be made. Accordingly, embodiments as set forth herein are intendedto be illustrative and not limiting. There are changes that may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims set forth below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of converting wind power, the methodcomprising: filling a fluid from a first fluid holding tank into a fluidcontainer, via a fluid inlet hose; lowering a connecting rod, a firstend of the connecting rod connected to a lower surface of the fluidcontainer, the lowering of the connecting rod being in response to alowering of the fluid container caused by an increased weight of thefluid entering into the fluid container; rotating a rotational componentdownward, the rotational component connected to a second end of theconnecting rod; emptying the fluid from the fluid container into asecond fluid holding tank, via a fluid outlet hose; raising theconnecting rod in response to a rising of the fluid container caused bya decreased weight of the fluid leaving the fluid container; rotatingthe rotational component upward; feeding the fluid from the second fluidholding tank to the first fluid holding tank via a feedback hose and ahydraulic pump connected to a wind power generation system configured toprovide at least a portion of the power to feed the fluid from thesecond fluid holding tank to the first fluid holding tank; andgenerating power into a generator, the generator being connected to therotating rotational component via a rotating horizontal shaft, wherein afirst and a second tension spring are directly connected to an uppersurface of the fluid container and directly connected to a lower surfaceof the first fluid holding tank; and wherein the first fluid holdingtank is integral with a frame, the frame having an outer perimeterspatially within which the first and second tension springs and thefluid container are contained.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein therotating horizontal shaft is connected to a gearbox configured to adjusta speed of rotation of the rotating horizontal shaft.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: regulating, by an upper solenoid valveconnected to the fluid inlet hose, a first flow of the fluid from thefirst fluid holding tank to the fluid container; and regulating, by alower solenoid valve connected to the fluid outlet hose, a second flowof the fluid from the fluid container to the second fluid holding tank.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid container is attached to aplurality of rollers configured to provide vertical movement of thefluid container against an immovable surface.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the wind power generation system comprises a wind turbine. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the wind turbine converts wind kineticenergy into electrical energy to hydraulically feed the fluid from thesecond fluid holding tank to the first fluid holding tank.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the wind power generation system comprises awindmill.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the windmill mechanicallyfeeds the fluid from the second fluid holding tank to the first fluidholding tank.